Shaping London’s Future: Responding to the draft new London Plan

Our capital city is looking to ensure a positive future through the Mayor’s London Plan; a series of ‘Good Growth’ Policies that address many of the challenges affecting the lives of all those who live in, work in and visit London. These range from the economy and development through to transport and housing. Crucially, if London is to remain an economically successful, culturally vibrant and liveable city that embraces the future, then it needs a flexible and sustainable planning system for the long-term

Peter Hogg

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Good Growth for all

It is more important than ever to ensure the London planning system is prepared to promote the Mayor’s 'Good Growth' objectives. Growth that is socially and economically inclusive and environmentally sustainable for everyone will ultimately lead to the creation of healthy communities. However, it will be essential for affected communities to have an appropriate voice in how this is implemented.

Meeting London’s housing needs

The target of building 66,000 homes a year is ambitious and there is a risk that the amount of detail and control in the Plan will negatively impact development and reduce delivery of new homes. To support an increase in housing provision, more investment will need to be targeted towards strategic off-site facilities and transportation. It will also be important to modernise construction methods to help increase capacity and address the skills gap.

Transport: Ensuring our city’s mobility

One of the key aims of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy is that, by 2041, 80 percent of Londoners’ trips will be made on foot, by bike or using public transport. It will be fundamental to provide transport flexibility and different inter-connected transport options that accommodate everyone, including those with mobility impairments. The integration of technology and data will need to play an important role here. As will embracing the future of Electric Vehicles by creating a resilient power distribution network, including data communications networks with sufficient bandwidth, which will be essential if the capital is to fulfil this target.

In general, the new London Plan is a positive initiative in London’s growth trajectory, in looking to strategically shape how the city evolves and develops over coming decades. However, certain sections are missing detail to explain how specific objectives and targets will be met, for example, around housing policy. A number of policies may also need further thinking, more flexibility and a less prescriptive nature. As ever though, the success of the London Plan will be dependent on how its recommendations are implemented and what actions are taken to improve quality of life in London.

Download the full Arcadis response to the draft new London Plan consultation at the bottom of the page.

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Peter Hogg

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Arcadis White paper

Arcadis response to London Plan

Our capital city is looking to ensure a positive future through the Mayor’s London Plan; a series of ‘Good Growth’ Policies that address many of the challenges affecting the lives of all those who live in, work in and visit London.